Kash Patel, the nominee for FBI director, is set to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing Thursday, when the former federal prosecutor could face questions about his loyalty to President Donald Trump, his comments about the media and his views on a key surveillance authority.
The high-profile appearance will offer Patel, a former Trump campaign surrogate, an opportunity to defend — or explain — his track record of brash public commentary, along with his provocative ideas to overhaul the FBI.
Patel, a fierce critic of the agency’s former director, has proposed shutting down the FBI’s Washington headquarters, suggested “significantly” reducing the size of the agency’s general counsel office and called for the firing of the top ranks of the bureau.
